The Maine Republican Party on Saturday elected York County GOP Chairman Jim Deyermond to serve as the chairman of the part’s state committee, replacing Joel Stetkis, a former Republican state lawmaker from Canaan.
“I’m excited to get rolling and get to work — the next elections are right around the corner and Maine badly needs conservative values to fix the direction of the state,” Deyermond said.
“I look forward to getting our message out and bringing Republicans, Independents, and people of all political stripes together to win. I appreciate this opportunity to represent all Maine Republicans,” said Deyermond.
Deyermond, a 37-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, moved to Sanford after retiring from the force. Since that time, he’s been active in Sanford Republican politics and the York County GOP committee.
Stetkis assumed the leadership role within the party following the 2022 election and widespread discontent with the Republican Party’s performance in that cycle.
In the first round of voting on Saturday, Stetkis won 38 votes to Deyermond’s 35; however, the 3rd and 4th place candidates dropped out to endorse Deyermond, giving him a second-round victory.
Scott Rocknak, a 2024 candidate for Maine State Senate District 12, was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Party.
Who were the third and fourth place candidates in round one of the voting? We’re there four candidates on round one, or more?
The first thing the new chair needs to do is reduce the expenses. Half a million dollars a year is too much to run Higgins Street. Then Republicans have a story to tell our policies and principals work. Smaller government means a higher standard of living, more freedom, lower crime, more opportunity for all of us. The evidence becomes more clear every day. There’s never been a better time to explain that to voters. The sooner he starts the better.
I don’t want to hear anybody complaining about the guy being from away !
Just shut TF up about it .
I myself had to go away for many years in order to earn enough to return and retire . The income that I earned here was squat , compared to what i was able to earn while being “ away “
I CAN NOT believe the liberal socialist mindset that thrives here today.
The people of Maine have got to wake up and get some Conservative Republican control of our state government . We are drowning in virtue signaling ,feel good ,do good ,be nice , love all , politicians who won’t say no to anything , and it is pushing us over a fiscal cliff . NO JOKE .
Augusta has more commissions , departments “ of “ , committees for , offices of , and assorted other tax revenue leeches, than states more than three times our size .
They have now been exceeded in number only by the hundreds of “ Non -profits” ….” Conservatorships “ …”Help Agencies “ ….and other “ do good organizations “ …all created by the “ Maine Democrat Party Machine “ .
Maine HAS TO SAVE ITSELF with some good old fashioned , common sense , just say no sometimes , conservative fiscal leadership , and this guy sounds like a good place to start .
This might be our last chance .
As a former selectman from a very small town in Maine I witnessed what I think is a microcosm of the larger problem for conservative values in this state. The multigenerational citizens of small towns who I believe to be on the conservative side as a whole do not show up to vote locally and give up control to our newer neighbors. I can’t help but believe that this goes on at the state level as well. Somehow they need to be led to the voting booth. Best wishes to the new Chairman.
Joel Stetkis did an outstanding job. Now, the GOP has to start over again.
Republicans are using ranked choice voting to select party personnel? will we ever get rid of rcv and the teachers unions control over the curricula?
Once the clone factories (i.e. public schools) are re-americanized only then will we have a chance at a free maine again.
With that background he should be able to solve the illegal Maine Weed Mafia problem in 3 days.
Was that the best photo of him you could find?
Why can’t you show the top of his head? Is he in the witness protection program or something?
There are comments here about people “from away” who are liberal. Maine natives who are conservatives need to recognize that everyone “from away” is not a rich liberal who just wants a mansion on the water, more and more land trusts, and net zero asap. Some of us are appalled by high taxes, the welfare state, illegal immigration and handout programs. In other words, fiscal and social conservatives.
The comments made by Doug Thomas, Benny Weaver and Madoldtimer are right on point 100%!!! This is the last chance for Maine if the Maine GOP does not remove their head from their behind this state will be exactly like California in no time. I try and do my part, but the Maine GOP can not even get everyone to show up for votes in the Legislature like what happened last year over critical votes. Now they get a 61% pay increase and I did not hear ONE Maine GOP legislator fight it in anyway. IF it doe not change in 2026 Maine is doomed and myself and others will pack up and leave the state to the ILLEGAL ALIENS and welfare leeches.
Click on the photo of the new chairman and the picture enlarges.
On another matter, Joel Stetkis won the bid for Chair on the first round. Someone please explain why there was a 2nd round?
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This selection was an organized coup!
Shenanigans.
A blatantly obvious coup.
Maine’s republican party has done an awful job supporting its candidates. Last election I was willing to put signs in my yard & around neighborhood only to be told candidates were, in my words, being picky where their signs were being placed. And, I couldn’t find a place to get a sign, except in Wells, & Nancy’s hours were erratic.
If u want my donation, tell me how u r going to overturn this Democrat state & make it red.
U being from MA scares me. Hope u r not a “fake” republican!